Tag: EU

MSPs to grill Scottish Secretary

Holyrood’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee will today question the Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack (above) about the Withdrawal Agreement and the future relationship between the European Union and the UK.

In recent weeks the Committee has taken evidence from a wide range of experts with regard to the Northern Ireland protocol and the likely priorities of the EU and the UK Government in the forthcoming future relationship negotiations.  The Committee has also taken evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, Michael Russell MSP.

Committee Convener Joan McAlpine said: “The clock is ticking for the UK to agree to its future relationship with the EU and we continue to lack clarity on the form that relationship will take.  

“The future relationship between the EU and the UK will have a significant impact on the day to day lives of people in Scotland. Thursday’s session – the first occasion the Secretary of State has provided evidence in the Scottish Parliament – will hopefully provide some clarity on what that future relationship will be.”

Deputy Convener, Claire Baker said: “Evidence that the Committee has taken in recent weeks has highlighted that considerable detail requires to be worked out regarding the operation of the Northern Ireland protocol, whilst the form of the future relationship with the EU remains highly uncertain, with leaving without a trade deal still a distinct possibility.

“The Secretary of State for Scotland has serious concerns to address so that we can avoid 9 months of further uncertainty.”

See the committee papers for Thursday here.

The UK Government risks “breaching the basic premise of the Union” in EU-UK negotiations if it fails to respect the Scottish legal system, Constitution Secretary Michael Russell (above) warned MSPs yesterday.

In a statement updating the Scottish Parliament on the Brexit negotiations, Mr Russell said the Scottish Government and Parliament must be involved in deciding the UK negotiating stance on devolved matters such as fisheries, the environment and justice, as well as the many other issues that will affect Scotland.

He added that the UK Government was intent on a hard Brexit which “will result in the people of Scotland being worse off financially, cut off practically and turned off politically from the European mainstream”.

Mr Russell said: “Devolved issues such as agriculture, environment and fisheries will be at the heart of these negotiations. As the legally and politically responsible body this (Scottish) Parliament and this Government must be involved in deciding on what stance to take.

“The UK Government must respect and take full account of the Scottish legal system – our separate courts, prosecution system and police. To fail to do so would be a breach not just of convention, nor even of the devolution settlement, but of the basic premise on which the Union is founded, for that includes protection for our legal system.

“No-one speaks for us, and no-one speaks about us, without us.

“We are now entering an even more difficult phase of the Brexit process which, if handled the way the UK Government proposes, will have severe negative impacts for the vast majority of people in Scotland. I continue to urge the UK Government to move back from its current aggressive rhetoric and ideological obsession with a very damaging hard Brexit.

“But I also urge this chamber to speak up for Scotland and put differences aside to do so.”

Missing EU already?

FIRST MINISTER: ‘We’ve never needed EU more’

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has emphasised Scotland’s shared values with the European Union during a series of engagements in Brussels.

Speaking to an audience including EU diplomats at the European Policy Centre, she said that Scotland’s task now that membership of the EU had ended was to find a voice as an independent nation which could take its place on the world stage.

In the meantime, the Scottish Government will use its devolved powers to maintain, as far as it is able, the closest possible ties with the EU, while working towards independence.

Earlier the First Minister met EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier to discuss  the UK/EU talks, which are due to begin next month. She also spoke to EU Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager about the EU’s Green Deal and the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, the dynamics of digitisation and Artificial Intelligence.

The First Minister said: “It was already clear, and it has been reaffirmed to me in the constructive meetings I’ve held today, that there is genuine goodwill in the EU towards Scotland.

“We are leaving the EU at a time when we have never benefited from it more, and when we have never needed it more to achieve our ambitions.

“On this visit to Brussels I have made clear how important it is for Scotland to remain close to the EU.”

It’s difficult to see what more Scotland can do to ‘remain close’ to the EU. The Scottish government’s position on Europe is clear, but unless we become an independent country we will remain on the outside.

And while we await another independence referendum, there is an increasing clamour for the Scottish government to concentrate on the ‘day job’. Domestic problems are mounting, the government’s competence is under increasing scrutiny and Scottish Parliament elections are on the horizon. These are tough times for the First Minister – and they can only get tougher.

The First Minister’s full speech to the European Policy Centre is available on the Scottish Government website.

33,000 EU nationals apply to settle in Edinburgh

The Home Office has announced that there have been more than 135,000 applications to the EU Settlement Scheme from Scotland.

According to newly released official statistics up to the end of December 2019,

The top four nationalities in Scotland are Polish (47,160), Italian (11,000), Romanian (10,850) and Spanish (9,210).

The EU Settlement Scheme is designed to make it straightforward for EU citizens and their family members to stay after the UK leaves the EU – guaranteeing their rights in UK law.

To apply they only need to complete three key steps – prove their identity, show that they live in the UK and declare any criminal convictions.

Security Minister Brandon Lewis said: “It’s brilliant that there have been more than 135,000 applications to the EU Settlement Scheme from Scotland. 

“EU citizens are an integral part of our society, culture and community and the scheme guarantees their rights in UK law. It’s free, straightforward and I encourage all EU citizens living in Scotland to apply today.”

Internal figures show that there have been more than three million applications to the scheme less than a year since it was fully launched to the public.

A wide range of support is available online, over the phone and in person to help EU citizens apply. There are more than 1,500 Home Office staff working on the EU Settlement Scheme with 250 based in Liverpool at the Settlement Resolution Centre supporting applicants with any questions about the scheme or who need help applying.

There are also more than 50 voluntary and community sector organisations – funded by the Home Office – which have helped hundreds of thousands of vulnerable EU citizens including the homeless, the elderly and victims of domestic abuse. This includes Community Renewal Trust, Simon Community Scotland and the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux based in Scotland. 

One of these organisations is PKAVS, who are supporting EU citizens in Perth and Kinross to apply to the scheme. On Thursday 6 February 2020, PKAVS are hosting a community event where representatives from the Home Office, Perth & Kinross Council, Perth Citizens Advice Bureau and the Ethnic Minorities Law Centre can answer the local community’s questions about the scheme.

Paul Graham, Chief Executive of PKAVS said: “We are pleased to be working with the Home Office to support vulnerable people in Perth and Kinross with their applications to the EU Settlement Scheme. 

“We have helped approximately 900 people since Summer 2019 through our free helpline, our events programme, and individual support for those who need it most.”

Missing EU already?

Pro EU group in Scotland marks Brexit Day with commitment to EU

The European Movement in Scotland (EMiS), Scotland’s oldest dedicated pro-European campaigning organization, and Edinburgh4Europe are organizing/participating in two key events in Edinburgh to mark the U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union tomorrow (Friday 31st January).

Events

2:30 PM — conference and gathering – How can Scotland keep her rightful place within Europe and the European Union? (NO CAMERAS) 

Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL

This event will provide media with access to a key discussion on how pro-European Scotland can proceed now. There will be opportunities to speak with interested members of the public including those from other EU states alongside better-known speakers.

Speakers to include:

  • Mike Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations
  • Mark Lazarowicz, Chair, European Movement in Scotland
  • Mhairi Snowden, Human Rights Consortium, Scotland
  • Mark Diffley, Consultant, Analysing Public Opinion
  • Dr Benjamin Martill, Brexit and Security, Centre on Constitutional Change
  • Dr Kirsty Hughes, Director, Scottish Centre on European Relations.

From 6 PM – Gathering to protest against withdrawal from EU, as part of Missing EU Already event 

Location: Scottish Parliament forecourt and green space (opposite Holyrood Palace), Edinburgh.

This event, in conjunction with the Missing EU Already event, will include speakers chosen by Edinburgh4Europe alongside a lights’ ceremony at 11 PM to show Scotland’s continued commitment to the EU.

The event will provide media with a visual manifestation of Scotland’s commitment to Europe in front of the home of Scottish democracy, a thoughtful, reflective and defiant programme in contrast to the triumphalism that may be on display elsewhere.

There will be opportunities to speak with members of the crowd who have come from far and wide, including other European countries, to show support for Scotland as we recommit to our European future.

Speakers to include:

  • David Clarke, EMiS Vice Chairman
  • Lorna Slater, Co-convenor Green Party
  • Andrew Wilson, EUSA President)
  • Richard Milne, activist, Fringe performer, senior lecturer at Edinburgh University
  • Dominic McGinley, EMiS, Fife4Europe
  • Ailie Ross-Oliver, Our Future Our Choice

Further events by EMiS will also take place in Glasgow, Perth, Dumfries and Stirling.

Mark Lazarowicz, Chair of the European Movement in Scotland, said: “Leaving the European Union is an incredibly sad event and this series of activities provides an opportunity to not only celebrate our membership and the great benefits it has given us, but also to look to the future.

“While we may have left, the fight now begins for us to rejoin the EU, and that fight starts now.”

EU citizens ‘vital to Scotland’

EU citizens living and working in Scotland make an invaluable contribution to our society, culture and economy, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday.

At an event in Edinburgh to celebrate the positive impact of EU citizens the First Minister announced additional funding for the Stay in Scotland campaign. Continue reading EU citizens ‘vital to Scotland’

New report says despite the uncertainty of Brexit EU families feel more welcome and safer in Scotland

Despite the uncertainty of Brexit EU families feel more welcome and safer in Scotland than south of the border.

These conclusions are based on the findings of two reports launched yesterday   at the Cornerstone Centre St John’s, Edinburgh by the University of Birmingham. Continue reading New report says despite the uncertainty of Brexit EU families feel more welcome and safer in Scotland

March and rally to remain in the EU

THE EUROPEAN MOVEMENT in SCOTLAND

EDINBURGH 4 EUROPE

MARCH TO REMAIN IN THE EU

A Tory Prime Minister, with no UK-wide mandate, is planning to take us all out of the European Union, without a deal, threatening our jobs, services and citizens’ rights, on 31October. Scotland voted 62% for Remain in the 2016 referendum, yet our views continue to be ignored.

Crashing out of the EU with no deal is the worst possible outcome – it could wipe £11billion off Scotland’s economy in under a year and lead to job losses of 10-25%. Jobs in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors are most at risk. Millions of EU citizens could lose their rights overnight. There will be shortages of essential drugs and food.

We will also lose sovereignty by becoming subservient to Donald Trump and without real protection from an ineffective World Trade Organisation.

We did not vote for this. The Edinburgh4Europe March and Rally on 21 September, could be our last our chance to show Boris Johnson the strength of feeling in Scotland against him and his chaotic no deal Brexit.

We demand that MPs revoke Article 50 to prevent a no deal Brexit. We must remain in the EU to preserve peace in Europe and to ensure shared action to prevent climate change.

21 September is the United Nations International Day of Peace: https://internationaldayofpeace.org/

Gather in West Parliament Square, outside St Giles Cathedral, at 2pm and march to Holyrood, where we will hear passionate speakers, including:

Joanna Cherry QC MP, SNP

Lord John Kerr, author of Art. 50

Lorna Slater, Co-Leader, Scottish Greens

Ian Murray MP, Labour

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Scottish Lib Dems

Professor Tanja Bueltmann

Madeleina Kay, EU Supergirl

Cathy Wigley, Women4EU

More speakers to be added as they are confirmed …

Bring your placards and banners!

Event organised by Edinburgh for Europe, affiliated to the European Movement in Scotland. Contact ed.activists@euromovescotland.org.uk for more info or to join the Brexit resistance.

 

 

More Brexit help for EU citizens

Advice and support to stay in Scotland

EU citizens affected by changes to the immigration rules as a result of Brexit are to be offered extra support and advice.

The EU Citizens’ Rights Project, backed by £50,000 from the Scottish Government, will deliver nationwide events to raise awareness about what they need to do to stay in Scotland after Brexit.

The focus will be on helping vulnerable EU citizens who may have more complex needs or who may face barriers to applying for settled status, and may need additional support. Immigration lawyers will offer expert advice and interpretation will be available where appropriate.

Migration Minister Ben Macpherson said: “EU citizens significantly enrich our society and make a huge contribution to Scotland’s economy and public services. My message to them is simple: you will always be welcome in Scotland, we want you to stay and we will support you to stay. That is why the Scottish Government launched our Stay in Scotland campaign earlier this year.

“It is deplorable that the UK Government is forcing EU citizens to apply to retain their existing rights, and we continue to urge the UK Government to implement a declaratory system. However we also want to ensure that people remain in Scotland and that they are informed and supported when applying for settled status.

“That is why we are funding the Citizens’ Rights Project to deliver a series of outreach and information events for EU citizens and their families across Scotland. These events will raise awareness of the EU Settlement Scheme, provide applicants with the necessary information, and signpost to available support to help people to stay.”

Noelia Martinez, Project Coordinator for the Citizens Rights Project, said: “This type of support is extremely important for EU citizens in Scotland who are concerned about what would happen to their rights after Brexit.

“Many, like myself, have successfully applied for Settled Status, but we know from our previous outreach and information work that there are still lots of EU citizens who are not sure about how to apply, or have faced difficulties in making application.

“This further funding is very welcome, as it will allow us to continue our work, with an emphasis in particular on reaching vulnerable EU citizens, and those who live in more remote areas of Scotland.”

 

A huge day for democracy as Johnson ups the ante

  • Tory MPs threatened with deselection if they oppose the government
  • October general election looking increasingly likely

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a showdown in Westminster today after officials warned he would call for a snap general election on 14 October if MPs succeed in seizing control of Commons business. Continue reading A huge day for democracy as Johnson ups the ante